Fr. David A. Holley

Ordained: 1958
Status: Convicted

Died: 11/25/2008
Diocese: Diocese of Worcester MA

Ordained for the Benedictines; “dispensed” from order in 1962. Became a Worcester diocesan priest. First known abuse was of minors in MA. Sent to the Paracletes in NM for treatment. Many victims in many states. After abusing in El Paso, transferred by Bishop Metzger to the San Angelo, TX diocese. Convicted in 1993 of abusing 8 boys during 1972-1974 in Alamogordo NM; sentenced to 275 years. Died in prison 11/25/2008, buried in NM. Accused in new federal suit of abusing, along with D. Barfield and W. Diamond, a boy in Alamogordo. He and Diamond also worked together earlier. A new suit was filed in Denver in 12/2013. Included on the Santa Fe archdiocese’s list of accused 9/12/2017. On the Las Cruces diocese’s list 11/8/2018. On the Amarillo diocese’s list 1/31/2019. On El Paso’s list 1/31/2019. On San Angelo’s list 2/13/2019. A new suit was filed 3/31/2020 against the Servants of the Paraclete, the Las Cruces, El Paso and Worcester dioceses, and two Alamogordo parishes for abuse of a boy in the 1970s.  Included on the St. Benedict’s Abbey (Bene Lake WI) list, as “Fr. Benet Joseph Holey.” Abuse noted to have occurred in the 1950s in PA. 


Return to main database page. See abbreviations and posting policy. Send corrections.

Our Database of Publicly Accused does not state or imply that individuals facing allegations are guilty of a crime or liable for civil claims. The reports contained in the database are merely allegations. The U.S. legal system presumes that a person accused of or charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty. Similarly, individuals who may be defendants in civil actions are presumed not to be liable for such claims unless a plaintiff proves otherwise. Admissions of guilt or liability are not typically a part of civil or private settlements. For more information, see our posting policy.